Fire crews began pile burning today, with more planned around the forest tomorrow (Dec. 3). Here’s the latest: Taos Ski Valley Crews treated piles from 49 acres of thinning along Highway 150, including around homes and businesses in the Amizette area (pictured above). More ignitions are planned for Dec. 3. El Rito With more winter […]

With the arrival of winter weather in Northern New Mexico, fire crews are preparing to begin pile burning operations across Carson National Forest this fall and winter. Work may first occur as early as Dec. 1 along or near Highway 150 and the Wheeler Peak Trail, as well as Hopewell Lake. The exact days of […]

Carson National Forest fire crews are preparing to begin ignitions on the Ojo Sarco Prescribed Fire as early as Nov. 4. The exact timing of ignitions will depend on wind, weather, fuel moisture conditions and required approvals. The 391-acre prescribed fire unit is located along Highway 76 and a southeast portion of the Ojo Sarco […]

With 406 acres treated today, sending up smoke seen far and wide, fire crews are now done with all ignitions on the Kiowa-San Cristobal Wildland Urban Interface Project for the time being. The photo here shows this evening’s on-scene fire behavior, which is low to moderate with creeping from the jackpot firing. People in the […]

Carson National Forest fire crews are preparing to begin ignitions on the Lamy/Barela Prescribed Fire near Tres Piedras, N.M., as early as Oct. 22. The exact timing of ignitions will depend on wind, weather, fuel moisture conditions and required approvals. The 10,172-acre burn unit is located north of Tres Piedras off Forest Service roads 82, […]

Fire crews have completed ignitions for the day, treating 166 acres adjacent to Highway 522 at D.H. Lawrence Ranch Road. They plan to continue tomorrow, moving back east into interior areas of the forest. As fire continues to consume jackpots of fuel, smoke may persist overnight in the area, especially between Horsethief Mesa Trailhead/Arroyo Hondo […]

Fire crews continued jackpot burning today, treating another 100 acres between San Cristobal and Arroyo Hondo. Tomorrow they plan to treat 160 acres next to Highway 522 at D.H. Lawrence Ranch Road. Drivers are advised to slow down for smoke and the safety of crew members. Today’s lower acreage treatment was due to the forecasted […]

Fire crews began jackpot burning between San Cristobal and Arroyo Hondo, treating 800 acres today. They’ll return Oct. 18 for more planned ignitions. Jackpot burning is when fire crews target concentrations (or “jackpots”) of fuels, like clusters of downed branches, throughout an area. Jackpots can be naturally-occurring or, as in this case, the result of […]

Fire crews continued pile burning today, conducting clean-up ignitions while patrolling and monitoring the whole area. As seen in this photo, fire consumed most of the piles, leaving very little fuel for dead fuel for future wildfires to consume. Fire was able to burn down the piles despite recent storm activity because crew members ignited […]

Fire crews wrapped up another successful day of pile burning, completing 160 acres along the National Forest boundary with the communities of Arroyo Hondo and Turley Mill. Tomorrow, crews plan to shift to jackpot burning, which is when concentrations, or “jackpots,” of fuels, like clusters of downed branches from forest thinning, are burned throughout an […]

Fire crews conducted a successful test fire, completing ignitions on piles from 182 acres of forest thinning and public firewood collection on the Kiowa-San Cristbobal Wildland Urban Interface Project. They plan to continue pile burning and, possibly, begin jackpot burning on Oct. 15. Go to the Carson National Forest website information about this prescribed fire: […]

Carson National Forest fire crews are preparing to begin jackpot and pile burning near a handful of communities north of Taos, N.M., as early as Oct. 13. The exact timing of ignitions will depend on wind, weather, fuel moisture conditions and required approvals. The 1,778-acre prescribed fire unit is located along and east of Highway […]

Fire crews conducted a test fire today and moved forward with ignitions on 50 acres on the south end of the prescribed fire unit. Test fires are set prior to every prescribed fire to evaluate such things as fire behavior, fire effects, detection performance or control measures before deciding to move ahead with the ongoing […]

The prescribed fire unit (map) is located on the west side of the Valle Vidal near Costilla Dam to the north and Holman Creek to the south. It is bounded by Forest Service roads 1900 and 1950, old logging roads and built control line.  TimingIgnitions could begin as early as Sept. 23, although the exact timing […]

Fire crews contained two wildfires on the Carson National Forest today: Crews will continue to work the fires until they are fully controlled and called out. WHY NOT USE A WATER-DROPPING HELICOPTERS? A handful of commenters on the Carson National Forest Facebook page today asked why a water-dropping helicopter was not used on the Dew […]

A fire crew is currently hiking in to a wildfire that’s showing smoke visible from Taos and neighboring communities. It’s located behind the Weimer foothills area (estimated location on a map). More details will be available once crews arrive on scene to fully suppress flames.

Fire Information (505) 465-9515 2025.MiddleMesa@firenet.gov https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/nmcaf-middle-mesa-fire Bloomfield, N.M., Aug. 17, 2025 — With containment at 92%, fire operations are shifting focus to post-wildfire resilience on the landscape. Enter the Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team. Specialists assess whether imminent threats exist to public safety, property or critical natural and cultural resources on National Forest System […]

Fire Information (505) 465-9515 2025.MiddleMesa@firenet.gov https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/nmcaf-middle-mesa-fire Bloomfield, N.M., Aug. 15, 2025— Southwest Incident Management Team 3 transferred command of the wildfire last night to a Type 4 organization led by Carson National Forest personnel. This transition reflects the progress made in bringing the fire under control and marks a shift to a staffing level that […]